Feedback on their work helped staff do the intended thing a little more often.
HelpedThe short version
Across 62 studies, feedback on their practice helped staff do the intended thing a little more often.
- 62
- studies pooled
- Recorded
- behaviour was recorded
The review
Who took part
Over 2,000 health workers took part, and the studies grouped them into over 2,300 clinics, hospitals and similar groups. Most studies targeted doctors, and most were in the USA or Canada.
What they did
Staff got feedback on how well they were following the intended practice. In about half of the studies the feedback came only once, and in most it had no clear goal or plan. The other groups carried on as usual.
What happened
The typical gain was about 4 more in every 100, and it hardly changed as new studies were added. Studies suggested feedback worked best from a supervisor or respected colleague. It also seemed better when repeated and when it set specific goals and plans.
What the review found
- Helped
Across 62 studies, feedback on their practice helped staff do the intended thing a little more often.
Pooled analysis of 62 studies · vs staff who carried on as usual · behaviour was recorded
How solid is this?
- Behaviour was recorded
- Numbers unreliable
Source
Growing Literature, Stagnant Science? Systematic Review, Meta-Regression and Cumulative Analysis of Audit and Feedback Interventions in Health Care (2014)
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-014-2913-y (opens in a new tab)
